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Tense Up (Verb)

Become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room".

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.

She tensed up when she heard the strange noise in the middle of the night and couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.
As he stood up to give his speech in front of the crowd, he tensed up and his knees started to shake.
He tensed up when he saw the police car following him, his heart racing with anticipation.
The audience tensed up as the football player prepared to kick the winning goal in the final seconds of the game.
When the teacher asked her to solve a difficult math problem on the board, she tensed up and her mind went blank.

Cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up".

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.

The prospect of speaking in front of a large crowd tensed her up immediately.
Every time he had to perform in front of his strict music teacher, he tensed up.
The football player tensed up during the crucial penalty shootout.
She couldn't help but tense up during job interviews, fearing she won't get hired.
Hearing the expected results of his medical tests would tense him up for the whole day.